Liverpool cannot afford to lose to Spartak in Moscow tonight because if they do there’s an 86% chance they’ll be going no further in the Champions League .

The calculation - which has been devised by the number crunchers at bookmakers bwin reckons that the Reds have only got a 14% of progressing to the next stage if they’re beaten in the Russian capital, which means the pressure is on for both Jurgen Klopp and his side.

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A draw would leave Liverpool’s chances in the balance based on the same figures that say a point puts them with a 51% probability of being knocked out report the Liverpool Echo .

However, the bwin boffins reckon Reds can take comfort from the mathematical fact that they’re officially in the easiest Champions League group in this season’s competition as their three opponents’ (Spartak, Sevilla and Maribor) combined UEFA coefficient is the lowest at just 187.

Sadio Mane in action during the UEFA Champions League group E match between Liverpool FC and Sevilla at Anfield on September 13, 2017 (Image: Getty Images Europe)

This contrasts to Tottenham who are in the ‘group of death’ with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and APOEL (combined coefficient of 335).

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Bwin ’s estimates are based on group winners having 4.6 points after the opening two fixtures on average, totalling 13.2 after six games; runners-up have 3.3 points after the opening two fixtures, on average totalling 10.1 after six while clubs eliminated from the group stages typically average just 1.5 points from opening two fixtures - totalling just 4.9 after six.

They also reveal that 71% of group winners go on to reach the quarter finals - 38% of which reach the semi-finals; 29% of group runners-up go on to reach the quarter finals with 11% of these reaching the semi-finals and six runners up have reached the final - four of which won the entire competition, including of course Liverpool in 2005.